$21,300
of $30,000 goal

Geoffrey died January 29th, only a month after being diagnosed with cancer. He was 55 years old.

Many in West Seattle will recognize Geoffrey Ly and Shi Qiu Chen, the owners of the New Leaf Bistro Vietnamese restaurant, a very special neighborhood restaurant across from the Admiral Theater.

Geoffrey felt ill in December and discovered he had a very aggressive cancer. His doctors started treatment but it quickly overwhelmed his system and on January 29th, he died. He was only 55 years old.

Suddenly his wife Shi Qiu was alone, now a widow raising their two young children, Angelina, 10 years old, and Kelvin, 8, and managing their restaurant that she and Geoffrey founded and built by hand in 2015. It was always Geoffrey’s goal to make it a gift to Shi. Now it is his legacy.

The $30,000 in funeral expenses and other costs are a mountain she will climb essentially on her own. Geoffrey was laid to rest with a traditional Asian funeral and an American funeral, making the costs far more than a typical American funeral.

Shi Qiu is now working 17-hour days seven day a week, caring for her children and doing all the work to maintain the restaurant.

Facing the world as a single mom, the business and family are in jeopardy. Friends have rallied around her and customers who know about the loss of Geoffrey have been supportive too. But it’s not enough, which is why we have set up this GoFundMe page. Any donations of any size are welcome. We have a goal of $30,000 to help Shi Qiu pay for Geoffrey’s funeral costs.

Kelvin and Angelina’s notes in memory of their father.

Angelina and Kelvin talk with their dad every day at breakfast and when they get home from school. He doesn't answer, but they listen for him and hope he hears them and is watching over them.

Shi Qiu and her children will be eternally grateful for any help they recieve. It will help make this tradegy something they can recover from. And it will feel like Geoffrey is indeed watching over them, making sure they are going to be okay.

All donations will go toward the $30,000 in funeral costs. March 10 update: The bills for Geoffrey's medical expenses from the emergency room at Swedish Hospital started to come in two weeks ago. Although Geoffrey had insurance, Shi Qiu did not realize that it covered only a portion of the total and that this would add up so quickly. If you would like to help Shi Qiu pay for these medical bills, Shi will very much appreciate any support you can provide.

Please share to help support this family. My name is Suzanne Krom. Shi Qiu and her family are my friends.